Schwarzenegger was in Palo Alto to celebrate the groundbreaking of a low-income senior housing complex partially funded by the state's proposition 1C bond money. He was asked by reporters about some conservative republicans' contention that McCain does not represent their views.
"The fact is that he is conservative," Schwarzenegger said.
However the governor went on to say that one of the things he really likes about McCain is that "he's an environmentalist. He loves the environment."
Schwarzenegger said today's announcement by former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney that he is suspending his presidential campaign will benefit McCain, who Schwarzenegger endorsed earlier this week before the state's presidential primary.
Schwarzenegger said he does not have a preference about when the state Legislature should select new leaders in light of the failure of Proposition 93, the term limits modification initiative, on Tuesday.
The top Democrats, Don Perata, D-Oakland, and Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, in the Legislature are both termed out at the end of this year.
"I would never want to interfere with their (selection) process," Schwarzenegger said. "I will make every effort though if they want to switch leaders right now. I will be working with the new leaders."
Schwarzenegger was speaking at the construction site where 56 affordable apartments for low-income seniors will be built beginning later this year. The apartments are being funding in part with a $5.25 million grant from the proposition 1C bond funds. Schwarzenegger said he was excited to be at the site, where he announced $69.5 million in funding for a variety of projects statewide.
"There is nothing that I love more than to announce three things simultaneously and that is construction, new jobs and new projects for the people of California," Schwarzenegger said.
The governor also offered a statement of condolence to the family and friends of a Los Angeles Police Department SWAT team member slain earlier today.
The officer was killed during a standoff that took the lives of four other people and injured another SWAT team member.
"This is a terrible tragedy, not only for the Los Angeles Police Department but for all of us," Schwarzenegger said.
The governor noted that this was the first Los Angeles SWAT team member slain in the line of duty in 27 years.
"I always calls them the true action heroes," Schwarzenegger said of the state's police officers.
